OCCURRENCE IN VARIOUS DISEASES. "243 



and size, and perhaps even in the structure of the flagellate apparatus, 

 so that one of them (the smaller variety) is almost nearer to the genus 

 Amphimonas, Duj.=odo, Ehrbg. 



The larger variety, whose length varies from O'Ol to 0*012 mm., 

 was very frequently found in the stools of patients during the cholera 

 epidemic, and often in such numbers that a single drop would con- 

 tain several of them. The body was pear-shaped, and had in front a 

 longish structure (" trait longitudinal "), which appeared almost like a 

 mouth. A nucleus could hardly be distinctly seen. The little 

 animals generally moved with great speed, but often attached them- 

 selves firmly to foreign bodies by means of their terminal filaments, 

 and then exhibited a pendulous swinging instead of a progressive 

 motion. 



The second small variety, which was only once observed in a 

 case of typhus but on this occasion in great numbers had a rounder 

 body (0*008 mm.) and two flagella of indefinite length, one in front 

 and one behind, but both situated somewhat to the side. The motion 

 is described as extremely rapid. 



It is still, however, a moot-point whether these two varieties are 

 really different. The illustrations which we have reproduced show only 

 slight variations; and the difference in the structure of their appendages, 

 which alone could be of any significance, is so slightly established by 

 Davaine, that for the present no importance can be attached to it. 

 Hence, later observers have classed these two varieties together again 

 without further discussion. They also recognise only a single Cerco- 

 monas intestinalis, namely, "that observed by Davaine." [Grassi 

 (loc. cit.*), too, observed variations in form and size in his Cercomonas 

 (Monadacomonas), but nevertheless speaks of another, which he refers 

 to our Trichomonas intestinalis. E. L.] It is true that a second form, 

 which we shall soon consider, has been noted by other investigators, 

 and especially by Zunker ; but they have made no attempt to identify 

 it with the different varieties of Davaine, but have rather sought to 

 establish its claims as a separate species. 



These later observations have also shown that the occurrence of 

 Cercomonas intestinalis is much more frequent and extensive than the 

 communications of Davaine led one to suppose. Not only is the 

 parasite found in the intestine (or in the excrement) in cases of cholera 

 and typhus, but also in other diarrhcetic conditions, 1 whether these 

 are dependent upon an acute or on a severe chronic disease. Lambl, 



1 Losch holds (loc. cit.) the occurrence of Monads to be quite common in dysenteric 

 stools. [Grassi observed Cercomonas in different parts of Italy more than one hundred 

 times in the course of a few months. Cunningham also alleges that this parasite is ex- 

 ceedingly common in India (especially in alkaline faeces), and is not unfrequently found 

 in quite healthy individuils. "R. L.] 



